postpartum bathing, when can I?

ok, so my 3 week old daughter hates baths, she starts out calm, looking a bit shocked, and then gradually she starts crying and is eventually screaming bloody murder and wriggling around in the infant tub, she calms right down once she wrapped in the towel and in my arms. Everywhere I have read says that a good way to make a positive experience for bathtime is to take the baby in the big bath with you so they feel secure in your arms and won't feel so exposed and naked. Anyways, my question is, when can I take a bath? I am only 3 weeks postpartum, do I have to wait the full 6 weeks to be able to bathe?

i dont know the answer to your question about your bath. but i know a good way to make them feel more comfortable being naked in their own tub is to put a rag on their tummies while youre bathing them. it makes them feel less exposed and scared.

Quoting vel2n:“ i dont know the answer to your question about your bath. but i know a good way to make them feel more ... [snip!] ... naked in their own tub is to put a rag on their tummies while youre bathing them. it makes them feel less exposed and scared.”

oh ok, well I don't care for baths, lol I was just asking because I was try taking bath with her to see if it works to help them remain calm. I personally prefer showers, lol.
But thanks I will try that and see if it works.  

Quoting Ivana♥Gabriella:“ oh ok, well I don't care for baths, lol I was just asking because I was try taking bath with her to see ... [snip!] ... see if it works to help them remain calm. I personally prefer showers, lol. But thanks I will try that and see if it works.  ”

i prefer showers too! some babies love taking showers with their mommies too. but i have always been to scared of dropping him to try it. haha =)

Did you have a lot of stitches? My doc told me to wait 3-4 weeks because I tore REALLY badly. My cousin didn't tear and she was told she was safe to bathe at 2 weeks - just the PP bleeding that might be an issue. My son was much more comfortable in the tub with me. I laid a dry towel on top of him to keep him warmer and laid him on my belly.

Quoting vel2n:“ i prefer showers too! some babies love taking showers with their mommies too. but i have always been to scared of dropping him to try it. haha =)”

I wrapped mine in towel the first few times so that he wouldn't be so slippery lol!

Quoting vel2n:“ i prefer showers too! some babies love taking showers with their mommies too. but i have always been to scared of dropping him to try it. haha =)”

yeah I would be too scared to do that!

i took a bath 3-4days after. i loved peeing in the really hot bathwater since it stung so bad to go pee. almost everytime i had to go pee i would jump in the tub

after i had all three of my kids they told me to bath 3 times a day till my stitches are gone to prevent infection...even without stitches they recomend bathing once a day...bathing, not showering...but i WISH i had a shower. i dont really like bathing, and i dont have a shower..i miss it. and my daughter is the same way wioth her baths. she screams and spazzes, but shes fine afterwards. just do it quickly is al i can tell ya.

Quoting Mommy of a giggler!:“ Did you have a lot of stitches? My doc told me to wait 3-4 weeks because I tore REALLY badly. My cousin ... [snip!] ... son was much more comfortable in the tub with me. I laid a dry towel on top of him to keep him warmer and laid him on my belly.”

well I had an emergency c-section, but I was wondering because of your cervix and all that, like there is no way of knowing if it's fully closed (until I get my 6 week checkup that is), so I don't know if that is a reason to wait

Quoting nik | Alessandra's mama:“ i took a bath 3-4days after. i loved peeing in the really hot bathwater since it stung so bad to go pee. almost everytime i had to go pee i would jump in the tub”

they didnt give you a peri bottle after you had her? as soon as i had her and had my time with her, they ran me a bath (at the hospital) and during your hospital stay they make sure you bath three times a day.

Quoting Ivana♥Gabriella:“ well I had an emergency c-section, but I was wondering because of your cervix and all that, like there ... [snip!] ... is no way of knowing if it's fully closed (until I get my 6 week checkup that is), so I don't know if that is a reason to wait”

bath water doesnt enter the vagina, thats why you can have a bath after your water breaks...they used to say not too, but now they know that the water wont go inside you. i read it in What to expect.

Quoting Ivana♥Gabriella:“ well I had an emergency c-section, but I was wondering because of your cervix and all that

The water shouldn't be able to get in, you should be fine. Do you have a nurse line you could call and ask? We have "health link" here that is operated by off duty nurses and you can call and ask them what ever is bothering you 24/7

if you want a bath take one it just fine.as for your baby i always swalled my new borns in a resiving blanket it helped them to fill safe.

Quoting I ♥ My Princess:“during your hospital stay they make sure you bath three times a day.”

That would have been nice! The hospital here doesn't even have tubs in the materinty ward, just showers!